Indian success for Atlas Copco

Lakshmi Stones acquire new XAHS 186 portable compressor to help increase productivity

LAKSHMI Stones have added an Atlas Copco XAHS 186 rotary screw portable compressor to their existing fleet of six XA 176 units. The company operates at Yelakaralla Halli Quarry, near Bangalore, where blocks of pink granite are quarried and then cut and polished for export to European markets.

The output of the granite blocks is between 250 and 300 cubic metres per month, with the quarry working seven days a week on 8h shifts. Two days a month are set aside for downtime and maintenance.

The rock drills used for cutting the granite blocks out of the rock mass are all powered by compressed air.

‘We started with a different brand of compressor but over the years have switched to Atlas Copco, as the quality, reliability and service are the best,’ said Boregonda Umashankar, managing director of Lakshmi Stones. ‘Our fleet now consists of six XA 176 compressors, as well as the XAHS 186 unit that we recently purchased.’

The XAHS 186 model is powered by a Cummins engine, delivering pressure of up to 12 bar at a rate of 10.5 cubic metres per minute. It has been designed for heavy-duty working environments, such as quarry applications.

Mr Umashankar added: ‘We use 3.5in rock drills and the extra pressure means faster working. We have found that fuel consumption is actually lower and productivity is increased, so we are getting all-round improved efficiency. We have now placed an order for a second XAHS 186 compressor.’

There are still large reserves of pink granite at Yelakaralla Halli, and Lakshmi Stones say they will apply for an extension to operate the quarry once their current lease expires in 2014.